Antwerps June polished activity shows strong increase in value$$Antwerp’s polished activity continued its pattern for the year so far with a strong increase in the value of trade, but a decline in the number of carats, according to figures released by the High Diamond Council (HRD).%%Exports of polished in June were 9.8% higher by value at $817 million compared to the same month last year.%%By volume, polished exports fell 8.0% to 738,000 carats.%%Polished imports rose 14.8% to $891 million with a 3.7% decrease in carats to 834,000.%%Total polished exports for the first half of the year increased 8.9% to $4.84 billion, while imports rose 10.6% to $4.72 billion.%%In carat terms, exports fell 9.0% to 4.4 million and imports fell by 7.3% to 4.9 million.%%The surplus of exports over imports during the first half of the year fell by 31.9% to $123 million, highlighting the increasing financial pressure that the centre is under.%%The US remains the major destination for Belgium’s polished exports, taking over 30% of the total value.